THAILAND TRIP
4 - Chiang Mai 15th - 17th February
 Return to Main Page

 
Friday 16th February

We have a very comfortable hotel in Chiang Mai which is the Northern Capital. We enjoyed a cooling swim in the pool when we arrived last night and an excellent dinner before exploring a bit of the town and getting several people totally lost. However they all managed to get back to the hotel somehow. This morning our bus took us up the very steep and twisting road up the mountain to a temple tucked away at 3,280 feet.
The temple is reached by a staircase with 290 steps, flanked by a naga balustrade on either side. Actually we all went up in a cable car and only used these stairs at the end to walk back down again.
Inside the temple was a smiling Buddha. There was a young monk sitting cross legged on a bench. We all had to kneel in front of him while he chanted some prayers and sprayed us with lots of holy water.
The roof of the temple.
The roof of the temple on the right and the burial stupor.
We admired this beautiful emerald Buddha.
Pia made friends with a dragon at the bottom of the steps.
We then transferred into smaller mini buses to be taken further up the mountain on some very steep roads to visit a market run by the people from the hill tribes.
Back again down from the mountain our bus took us to a silk factory. We saw silkworms and women separating out the silk from the cocoons. Then we saw women working the looms that weaved the beautiful silk cloth. Finally in to the showroom where many of us bought silk shirts and ties.
We then drove on, after lunch to see a woodcarving factory where they had the most wonderful bits of furniture for sale. Most of us just admired the exquisite workmanship, but the Crofts actually made a purchase which will arrive back in England in a few months time.
At the dinner that evening we had a cultural show. This young lady in traditional costume came round to be photographed but Nigel stole her hat thinking it was a lamp shade.
Saturday 17th February

We first visited the elephant camp and saw them being bathed in the river. These two babies were having a wonderful time just playing in the water.
Then we all sat round the ring for an demonstration of what they could do.
They loved it when we clapped and were experts at taking a bow.
Some played a game of football. Most of the kicks went over the net, but some goals were scored.
They even painted pictures which were later being sold.
Then we got onto elephants for an hours trek through the jungle.
Many elephants all trekking in convoy.
Trekking through the river.
Then it was on to the orchid farm.
Acres of wonderful colours
We finished the day at a snake farm. Here they milk the poison from the cobras to send off to laboratories. However we arrived just in time to watch a most daring exhibition of snake handling by the young men. Not all our party braved this place.
This young man had the task of catching three snakes in the ring single handed. One in each hand and the last one in his mouth.
Sunday 18th February.

We flew from Chiang Mai down to Bangkok. Just about an hours flight. Here we met up with Joyce and Brenda who actually flew in to Bangkok last night and stayed at the Oriental Hotel in absolute luxury with their own private butler to look after them.

On to the next page